A Single Mom

Tyson's POV

My phone buzzed on my table, I quickly took a glance at the caller and noticed it was her. I shut my eyes and took a deep breath. 

“Aren't you going to pick up, Lord Tyson?”

I looked in the direction of Osas who seemed to be curious about the caller. 

“It's none of your business.”

“Woah! Now I'm curious about whom this caller is,” he quickly rushed to the table, but before he could grab a hold of my phone, I swept it off the desk. 

“Oh come on, Lord Tyson, who is this caller? Don't tell me it's Paula?”

“Who else?”

"I thought as much. But you both are engaged, and I must say that she's hot. So why are you cold towards her? Isn't she the woman you've been looking for?"

I blinked at my friend's question. 

“What has that got to do with this?”

“Everything. I've never seen you so interested in a one-night stand and when I kicked against searching for her, you didn't listen, and now you found her. Isn't she the woman you've always wanted? Isn't the s*x good anymore?”

“Don't make me laugh. Don't you think we should have done that first before deciding?”

“No way!” Osas uttered loudly. 

“Don't tell me you both haven't done it? Man, what are you waiting for?”

“Stop asking me about this Osas. This is my office. You'd better keep shut, or I'll be forced to throw you out.”

“Oops! Sorry.”

While I was trying to set things straight with my friend, my dad suddenly walked into my office. Immediately, I stood up from my chair. 

“Dad, what are you doing here?”

“Son, I have a visitor who will be coming in any minute.”

“Yes, I know of your very important guest.”

“Now that you're going to be helping me manage my businesses, I'm giving this potential new business partner to you. You need to pull this off with our new business partner.”

“Wait a minute, dad. I thought you'd been planning this for over three months now. How come you're sending me your client all of a sudden?”

“Because your mom will have my head if I don't show up at the beach. You know how she is,” he said, winking at me.  

Goodness! I don't understand women, but then, my dad is helpless. 

“Dad, I don't have a problem with you going to your wife, but this business partner of yours, I haven't even met him before.”

My dad smiled at this moment. 

“It's a she, so you should put in more effort. I heard she's the best among her peers. You're my very best, do everything possible to win her, even if you have to use your charms. See ya!” My dad stormed out of my office, way before I could ask further questions.

“Oh boy! This is what it means to be the Duke of Cadenza and the son of the number one business tycoon in the country.”

“Osas, rather than spewing gibberish, how about you help me with this, huh?”

“Ahh, what exactly am I helping you with?”

“You know what? Get outta here.”

“Alright, see you at the club tonight, don't be late,” Osas said, winking at me before leaving, while I raised a brow at him as he left. 

Some minutes later, my secretary, Anne, walked into my office. 

“Lord Tyson, the guest is here.”

“Usher her to the meeting room, I'll be there in five minutes.”

Anne bowed before walking out of my office. 

“Phew!” I sighed. 

The last time I did business with a lady was ten years ago. I wonder who I'm meeting today. I have no information about her, even though I know what business we are about to discuss.

I walked out of my office and headed straight to the meeting room. Just as I arrived at the doorstep, the first thing I noticed was the sweet scent of her perfume. This fragrance is appetizing. Not many women impress me with their choice of perfume, now I'm curious. 

As soon as I walked in, I found her with her back against me. She was staring out of the window with her hands crossed on behind her. She is wearing a white suit, trouser and jacket. Her hair looks dark, silky, and curly. 

“Ahem!” I cleared my throat and at that moment, she quickly turned around towards me. 

The moment our gaze met, I stood rooted to the spot. Her pure blue eyes searched mine innocently. 

“Uhm…excuse me. Are you Mr. Taylor Legolas?”⁰

It was only after I heard her voice, I quickly snapped out of my frozen state. 

I placed my hands in my pocket and slowly walked over to where she stood. 

“I am not him, my name is Tyson Legolas.” 

She raised a brow at once. 

“The Duke of Cadenza?”

Does she know me? Right, she must have heard my name but not seen me before. 

“Well, you're right. It's a pleasure to meet you, miss….” I trailed off as I stretched out my hands towards her. 

“I'm Rox- I mean Austina Peterson.”

“Rox… Austina Peterson?”

“No, just Austina, pardon me,” she gave me her hand which I took in a warm handshake. Why do I feel so right, having her hand in mine? Just when I was enjoying the warmth of her hand, it suddenly slipped away from mine. 

“Uhm, Lord Tyson, I thought I'll be having a meeting with Taylor Legolas”

“Yes, but there's an emergency he has to attend to. So…I'll be the one doing the negotiation, my lady.” I announced, biting my lower lips. 

She raised a brow, while staring at me. 

“Please have your seat, I apologize for my rugged manners,” I said as I quickly pulled out a chair for her to sit. 

“Thank you,” she stated as she took her seat and gently placed her purse by her side. For some reason, my eyes lingered on her purse and I noticed a designed panda bear toy hanging at the corner of her purse. 

“You must have liked Panda bear toys as a child, am I wrong? It's been my favourite since I was a kid.”

I asked, walking over to take a seat opposite hers. Meanwhile, Anne set the table with two cups of coffee. 

“Oh, that's not my specialty,” she said, flashing a warm smile at the toy, and this only made me curious. 

“Not yours?” I asked curiously. 

“It's a gift from my son,” she stated boldly while staring at me. 

At this moment, I felt like I had been struck right in the heart. 

“Oh… you're married?”

“No, a single mom,” she stated, sipping her cup of coffee with her gaze fully at me.